Patrick Thomas QC, prosecuting, said the victim, aged 40 on the night of the attack, had gone to visit a man called Vincent Jones who lived on the Pitts Farm estate in Erdington.

At some point Jason Anthony, then aged 18, and his brother Dean had turned up at the address.

Mr Thomas said Anthony was to tell police he had gone there to smoke cannabis and when he arrived was already drunk.

He said the violence started when Mr Fitzgerald refused to let them in.

Mr Thomas said Mr Fitzgerald was knocked to the floor and that Anthony then kicked him and stamped on his head with considerable force.

The brothers ran off and the victim was later found lying in the hallway in a pool of blood having suffered severe injuries, including a fracture to the base of his skull, he said.

Mr Thomas said Mr Fitzgerald never regained consciousness and died last year as a result of blood poisoning. He said there was a direct link between the attack and his death.

Anthony, he said, had previously served a prison sentence, while his victim was still alive, after pleading guilty to causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Thomas said Anthony had already admitted intending to cause Mr Fitzgerald really serious injury but it would be claimed at the time his responsibility was diminished because of an abnormality of mind.